UAE

Blue Army hopes for cut-price Etihad flights

Manchester City fans in the UAE hope Etihad Airways will offer discounted flights to watch their beloved team following the carrier's new shirt sponsorship deal with the English football club.

Charlie Hamilton

May 26, 2009

ABU DHABI // Manchester City fans in the UAE hope Etihad Airways will offer discounted flights to watch their beloved team following the carrier's new shirt sponsorship deal with the English football club. David Hammett, the vice chairman of the Official Manchester City Supporters Club, said Sunday's announcement of a three-year agreement was good news for the club and would help raise its profile.

"A deal of this size and magnitude with such a prestigious company marks a huge step forward for Manchester City in its quest to become a globally recognised footballing powerhouse and further enhances the ties that already exist between Manchester and Abu Dhabi," he said. "It will inevitably help raise the club's profile and provide extra funds for some much-needed squad development. "We've all been extremely impressed with the Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment's actions since they came on board last August and all we need now is for Etihad to sort the UAE's Blue Army out with some cheap flights home to watch the boys in action."

A former City season ticket holder, Glyn Ball, 40, who grew up in Gorton, east Manchester and moved to Dubai in 2007, said the sponsorship deal would strengthen the club. "I'm made up. I think it is a perfect fit for both sides," he said. "This can only help raise the profile of the team and help attract new fans from around the world." A spokesman for Etihad said he was not aware of any plans to offer discounted flights to Manchester City fans.

"We would be delighted to carry Manchester City fans travelling back to the UK to watch their team play at the City of Manchester Stadium," he said. "I haven't heard of any plan for flight discounts, but I cannot rule it out as an option for the future although the logistics could be quite difficult to arrange. "There would be a better chance of some kind of tie-in with the supporters' club to arrange cheaper air fares, but it is very early days."

Simon Chadwick, the director of the Centre for the International Business of Sport (CIBS) at Coventry University, said the deal would further enhance Etihad's and Abu Dhabi's image on a global scale. "Football clubs are, from now on, going to have to do business through strategic collaboration and by developing relationships. It is not just about handing over cash, but about developing strategic, win-win relationships," he said.

"For example, if you go on an Etihad flight, will you be able to buy a Manchester City shirt? If you go on the Man City website, will you be able to book an Etihad flight and get a discount if you are a City season ticket holder? "The other important point is image transfer through football. You have the world's richest football clubs, the richest, most glamorous league and the best-known footballers. All of those will transfer on to Etihad."

Etihad currently operates daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Manchester, although it is not known whether the airline plans to increase the frequency between the two destinations after the sponsorship announcement. @Email:chamilton@thenational.ae

Pox that threatens the Middle East's native species

Camelpox

Caused by a virus related to the one that causes human smallpox, camelpox typically causes fever, swelling of lymph nodes and skin lesions in camels aged over three, but the animal usually recovers after a month or so. Younger animals may develop a more acute form that causes internal lesions and diarrhoea, and is often fatal, especially when secondary infections result. It is found across the Middle East as well as in parts of Asia, Africa, Russia and India.

Falconpox

Falconpox can cause a variety of types of lesions, which can affect, for example, the eyelids, feet and the areas above and below the beak. It is a problem among captive falcons and is one of many types of avian pox or avipox diseases that together affect dozens of bird species across the world. Among the other forms are pigeonpox, turkeypox, starlingpox and canarypox. Avipox viruses are spread by mosquitoes and direct bird-to-bird contact.

Houbarapox

Houbarapox is, like falconpox, one of the many forms of avipox diseases. It exists in various forms, with a type that causes skin lesions being least likely to result in death. Other forms cause more severe lesions, including internal lesions, and are more likely to kill the bird, often because secondary infections develop. This summer the CVRL reported an outbreak of pox in houbaras after rains in spring led to an increase in mosquito numbers.

Sheer grandeur

The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.

A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.